Guide in Russia

Old Jul 21st, 2017, 04:53 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 125
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Guide in Russia

We will be traveling to Moscow and have hired a guide who charges 250 euros per day. We are two adult ladies and find this amount extremely expensive. We are hiring the guide more for translations than for tourism. The guide will take care of Kremlin entrances and transportation. Could we find something less expensive? Should we take care of the guide´s lunch expenses? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
bea_001 is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2017, 05:06 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I haven't been to Moscow, only to St. Petersburg. But I had no trouble at all getting around St. Petersburg by myself. I used my smartphone for walking and bus directions. I don't read Cyrillic or speak Russian. I used my phone's Google Translate app a few times to translate spoken language and occasionally written language. I wouldn't expect to have a conversation with Google Translate, but if you are really stuck, it can help you communicate with someone in a pinch.

I know people who have been to Moscow recently and had no trouble getting around without a guide. I'm sure that's how I would do it, especially if I had to spend 250 Euros/day just for someone to translate things for me.
Andrew is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2017, 05:58 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you are staying in central Moscow you can walk to Kremlin and some other attractions. It is easy to buy ticket for Kremlin - just line up with other tourists.(I think you can purchase it on line ) . Moscow was absolutely jammed with people from around the world last summer. It is a sophisticated city ,
English is spoken in hotels, upscale restaurants and shops.
Metro
and street signs are in Cyrillic . I can read the alphabet and speak some Russian
but as Andrew suggested you might use apps to guide you.
danon is online now  
Old Jul 21st, 2017, 07:24 PM
  #4  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Although Moscow is VERY different than St. Petersburg, no guide is necessary unless having one is your preference.

As danon says, learning to transliterate from Cyrillic would serve you very well. A good guidebook or two should also prove invaluable.
kja is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2017, 07:24 PM
  #5  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
P.S. It's a fascinating city. Enjoy!
kja is offline  
Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 02:42 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Russian speaking wife , on learning of your plight, had some words of wisdom that I can't repeat here.

Why not take a free tour as reviewed here?

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...al_Russia.html

We did not go there, but had such tours in Budapest and Copenhagen.

As others have suggested, at least learn the Cyrillic alphabet and use Google translate on your smartphone. You can pocket that 250 euros and live large.
rs899 is offline  
Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 04:24 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 125
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks all for your words of advise. You´ve been more than helpful. I´ve been looking for a guide/translator since my sister just returned from Moscow and said it was absolutely impossible to visit without a guide, St. Petersburg not as bad as Moscow. Before I posted I read all of your reviews, in fact I dowloaded Andrew´s translator, but I felt a bit insecure of not understanding the writing, but I´ve managed in other countries before without being able to read, I´m sure I´ll manage again. Besides, me and my travel partner can´t afford the huge amount we´re being charged.

Would you recommend going to Serguiev Posad?
bea_001 is offline  
Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 05:10 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i did not leave Moscow on either visit ( 3 nights and 5 nights) because I found
enough to see and do in the city . It is a big place and I move slowly!
The alphabet is not difficult to learn...(a number of letters are the same
in both alphabets.) You can find it on ytube.
Good luck.
danon is online now  
Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 05:19 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Of course, it will pay you to know how to handle transactions in advance, and what the customary language might be. For example, find out how to buy a metro ticket, what you need to say to the clerk to get one, how the turnstiles work...that kind of thing so you dont need to learn there.
rs899 is offline  
Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 06:03 AM
  #10  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sergiev Posad is stunning! I'm very glad I visited it.
kja is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mohanapte
Europe
14
May 5th, 2016 01:28 AM
danon
Europe
25
Feb 23rd, 2015 07:54 AM
sabootylowen
Europe
7
Sep 1st, 2012 03:47 PM
19jomama55
Europe
4
Mar 24th, 2010 12:03 PM
MYP
Europe
5
May 1st, 2008 06:51 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -